Islamabad: In a major blow to former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan court on Thursday ordered his arrest in a case over the imposition of emergency rule in 2007.

However, the former military ruler evaded being taken into custody with his bodyguards whisking him away before the police could act.

The Islamabad High Court rejected Musharraf's plea for extension of bail in connection with the sacking of over 60 judges during the emergency.

69-year-old Musharraf, who returned to Pakistan on March 24 after a nearly four-year long self-imposed exile abroad to contest the May 11 general elections, appeared in the High Court under a thick security blanket.

Dismissing his application, the bench ordered the police to arrest him immediately.

According to reports, Musharraf escaped from the premises of the Islamabad High Court after his bail was cancelled. Police reportedly tried to reach Pervez Musharraf but he was escorted by his personal security, fleeing in his bullet-proof black four-wheeler.

Soon after the court order, Musharraf's security team quickly rushed him out of the courtroom to his black SUV without being stopped.

Musharraf's motorcade then drove out of the court complex in the presence of a battery of armed security personnel.

Musharraf (69) had returned home in March after nearly four years in self-exile.

Earlier this week, Musharraf was disqualified from contesting next month's general election, effectively ending his ambitions for a political comeback.